cont...
I know I was just a friend of Erna's son but she really went far beyond just tolerating me being around. Our friendship and my respect for Erna and Fred Sr. grew and grew over the years.  I eventually moved out of province but on a short visit back to Edmonton in 2020 to see my own Mother, I of course had to stop in to see my Mom and Dad in the city.  Erna happened to be in the hospital and I managed to find her and we enjoyed a short visit.  I left her with words of encouragement to get well soon as the world just didn't seem right without her at home.

And Erna was a great Mom!  She took great care of her children, providing and caring for them.  So too with her Grandchildren.  She certainly encouraged everyone and offered what ever support she could when needed.  I like to think I enjoyed some of that caring, it certainly felt that way to me.

So put my name on the list of those who loves Mrs. Piotrowski.  I will be forever thankful I got to meet and know this wonderful woman, Erna, my Mom in the city.

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Erna Piotrowski.  I would like to share a little of what I know about Erna and my relationship to her and her family.
Oma, Erna Piotrowski quite a woman. Growing up on a farm in Germany during the war and striking out from Germany on her own post war to Canada.  Arriving in Canada not knowing the language, not knowing the weather and the ways of this new land, it could not have been an easy thing to do.  And at the time even tougher for a woman on her own but she did it. Such a brave thing for a young woman to do. And she was successful, settling in Edmonton and meeting her husband.  Together Fred and Erna started a new life together.  And they were successful in raising two great children.   So how did I come to know this family?  I met this family through their son Fred.  We attended NAIT together with a great group of other bright young men.  I first met Erna when we went from NAIT to Fred's home for coffee at lunch time.  Erna happened to be home and she offered me the best coffee I ever had!  And of course something to eat.  From ice cream to cake there was always tasty sweets to be had when visiting their home.  And most often they were European style pastries and cookies and so much more. Something an Alberta farm boy never knew.  And there were terrific stories to be shared of life in Canada and in Germany. Some good and some not so good.  I found them all so fascinating.  And for me I got a feeling of genuine caring from Erna and Fred Sr.  It felt to me as if I had another set of parents.  My own parents on the farm and my parents in the city, Fred and Erna.  I know I was just a friend of Erna's son but she really went far beyond just tolerating me being around. Our friendship and my respect for Erna and Fred Sr. grew and grew over the years. 
cont..

This is Fred and Erna Piotrowski, my in-laws. We usually gather with the family on Friday afternoons for a visit. Oma was always glad to see us and we had a good time visiting them. We will miss seeing her very much. With love to Erna.

OBITUARY

Erna Frieda Piotrowski

October 12, 1926 – November 3, 2023

Memories Funeral Home

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